Oil burner



L. E. FRENCH OIL BURNER Filed June 16, 1923 2 Sheets-Shut 1 759.3 JNVENTOR L URE/vnf E. mmm.

BY n l i A TTO S.

' L. E. FRENCH OIL BURNER Filed June 16, 1923 2 Sheets-5h00?. 2

IN MEN TOR.

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Patented Dec. l5, 1925.

LAURENCE E. FRENCH, OF SEBASTOPOL, CALIFORNIA.

OIL BURNER.

. Application filed June 16, 1923.

To all, whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURENCE E. FRENCH, al. citizen of the United States, residing at Sebastopol, county of Sononfxa, and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oil Burners, of which the following is a specification. .v

This invention relates to a fuel burner and particularly pertains to a low air pressure, stationary head burner for use with liquid fuel.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a burner head or spray nozzle which is so constructed as to insure that the fuel will be thoroughly atomized as it is delivered to the combustion chamber, without the use of rotary mechanical means for producing centrifugal force effects upon the fuel, and that the mechanical means for agv tating, atomizing and delivering the fuel to the fuel jet and throwing it therefrom will be stationary and simple in construction and arrangement so that a blaze of maximum intensity may be obtained in a limited zone, the invention being so constructed as to permit burning structures of various capacities to be readily made from multiple units and assembled in such a compact manner as to allow the burner to be carried from place to place. n

Theu present invention contemplates the use of a stationary nozzle from which vapor is thrown, and which nozzle is disposed in the path of travel of a current of air in such a manner as to utilizea part of the air pressure in discharging a film of oil into the main air current so that the oil becomes :finely atomizedby a comparatively low air pressureand in a manner to produce a concentrated blaze.

A further object of the invention is to provide an oil burner which will permit the use of two or more fuel nozzles to be located in a single housingfor the purpose of increasing the range of capacity of the burner without destroying the proportion of air to atomized fuel necessary` for complete combustion.

The invention is illustrated by way of eX- uniple in the accompanying dra-wings, in which:

Fig. '1 is a view in longitudinal section tln'ough a single unit burner nozzle.

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken on the line Af-A of Fig. l.

i Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section through a single jet burner nozzle showing Serial No. 645,825.

1the application of the nozzle t0 a different form of housing.

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation showing the front end of the same nozzle.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the rear end of a three jet nozzle.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation showing the front end of the same nozzle and indicating the position of the three jets in the burner housing.

Fig 7 is a view in section showing in detail the construction of a single jet nozzle of the same form shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. S, is a view in section showing the construction of the fuel regulating valve for controlling` the fuel jets of a three jet burner as seen on line 9 8 of Fig. 9.

F 9 is an enlarged view in section showing the multiple nozzle as seen on lines 9-9 of Fig. G.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, 10 indicates a fuel oil pipe adapted to be connected with a suitable source of supply. l The oil pipe 1 0 is held in a central position in the air pipe 1l by means of a perforated disk 12. A tubular air sleeve 13 is mounted on a cylindrical collar 14, the tube being preferably a press lit on the collar. A uniform circular air space 26 is formed between the tube and the collar and a similar air space between the tube 13 and the air pipe 11. Through the collar 14 a number of holes 15 are drilled in such a manner that the air from the air pipe 11 may pass freely therethrough. Upon the end of the collar 14 two concentric circular discs 16 and 17 are mounted and are secured by means of the screw 18 in such manner as to form circular air spaces 19 and 21. The holes 15 pass through the disc 16 but not through the disc 17.

ln the collar 14, at a point slightly forward of its center, a series of small radial fuel passageways 22 connect the oil space 24 with the air space 26. `A series of horizontal milled vgrooves 23 connect the air space 26 with the air space 27.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a fuel nozzle 28 is shown as mounted in a housing 29, an oil pipe 10 enters a fuel preheating chamber 30. An annular air space 27 surrounds the nozzle 28 and is in communica# tion with an air pipe 31. Y The nozzle 28 is preferably threaded into the burner housing as indicated at 32. The air tube 11'I lis mounted in' a perforated disc 33 which is supported by a number of bosses 34 in such manner as to leave an air space between the disc and the burner casing. The burner nozzle housing` is attached to a sheet metal plate 3l by means of four lugs 35. The sheet metal plate 34tis attached to the door of a furnace in such manner as to close of't` all the air space except that provided by the annular space 86. This annular air space is formed between the Ynozzle housing and a hollow circular ring 37. The ring 37 is so constructed as to cause the air entering the furnace by natural draft. through the air space 36 to converge in the direction shown by the arrows 38. At the bottom of the burner casing' a drilled passage 39 provides the means of evit for surplus oil. At the bottom of the circular ring 37 an oil pipe l() is provided for an oil drain.

Referring to 5 and 6, burner nozzle 29 is shown mounted on annular ring 37 by means of the lugs Three oil burner nozzles or iets are shown in Fig. (i. Three thumb screws ll1 are inserted radially in the casino S) in such manner as to cont-rol the tion' of oil independently to each of the nozrale iets The lever 2 is attached to a circular oil valve Ll5 by means of the shaft forming a shut-off valve for two of the nozzle The detail of this oil valve is shown in Figs. S and 9. It is to be understood that the oil nozzles or jets indicated at 98 in 6 are similar in construction to the nozzles disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. in which construction it is apparent that three nozzle streams are created, one indicated by arrow -awhich passes from the end of the nozzle at an outwardly flaring angle. another indicated by the arrow lt passing substantially7 parallel to the j et --a-. and a third intersecting stream indicated hv the arrow c-. This peculiar direction givento the various air streams and the manner in which they intersect. are the fundamental features of the present invention. as the first atoinization of the air is accomplished by the action of the air streams within the nozzle. This atomization created in two separate stages. the first taking place within the nozzle shell 13 and the second taking place as the jets emerge from the nozzle to he projected into the furnace..

ln the first stage of vaporization the fuel oil is separated into drops or globules line enough to be readily carried in suspension with the air passing through the shell 13. This oil is afterwards atomized to a greater degree when the air stream passing through the shell 13 strikes the bevel face of the disks 16 where it will be deflected to pass out in the general direction indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 1. This flaring frustoconical jet of air and oil will be acted upon by the cross current of air passing along the air passageway 19 and in the direction indicated by the arrow -0- in Fig. 1. Another stream of air will be created through the openings and will be deflecty nozzles 2S spaced equidistant therethrough f,

and from each other upon opposite sides of said vertical center line.

this arrangement. substantially nine vair streams are operating in a confined zone to create a composite `iet'of more intensity E. and in which large volumes of liquid fuel are atoiuized and carried forward.

Referring to Fig. 7 a portion of the burne' casing' is shown at 29a. The disc 33 is shown mounted on the bosses 34T.

In this A,

form of nozzle a single disc ilil replaces the l two discs lo and 17 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Bv examination of Fig. 7, it will be seen that the nozzle structure here disclosed is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1. in that three air streams are produced as represented by the arrows -a-, --Z and -cA in both figures, and which streams intersect each other to insure a suitable atomization of the liquid fuel. This is brought about due to the lfact that the milled slots 23 permit air to pass directly through the nozzle and against the radial Q2. rl`his partially atomizes the fuel which enters an enlarged annular space at the forward end of the axle substantially the saine as in the structure shown in Fig. 1. The arrow --c'm in Fig. 7 indicates the ldirection pursued by the partially atomized sprai.v as it leaves this space.

TWhile arrow --,71- indicates the direction of the intersecting main air stream, an arrow e-erepresents the inner air stream.

Referring to Fig. 93 an oil valve l5 is shown mounted in the fuel preheating chamber 30. Three holes lli. 4T and 48 communicate with the three burner nozzles Q8 as shown in Fig. (i. comparison of Figs. G and 8, it is to be nude Vatood that the position of the regulating ports 46. i7, and Ll-S is exactly reversed in the two iiews. and that the port 4G in Fig. S is intended to assume an operative po ion relative to the right hand lower nozzle in Fig. G. The oil valve l5 is connected te lever l-Q shown in Fig. 5 by means of the shaft lf3. The amount of motion of the valve is limited by the set screw alf) acting in the slot 50. The holes l5, -lT and #i8 are drilled in the burner casu ing 29. The openings in the valve l5 are Va circular hole at the point 48.

divides into three distinct paths, the quantity of air flowing through each port being controlled by the relative areas of the ports.` The largest air stream issues in the form of a circular jetfrom the space formed between the tube 13 and the housing 11 as indicated bythe arrow at 20. A'second air stream passes through the holes 15 into the annular space formed between the discs 16`and 17 and issues in a circular jet as indicated by the arrow at 21. The intersection of these two air jets has an important bearing upon the action of the device which will be eX- plained later. A third air stream passes `through the milled slots 23 being concentrated upon the fuel issuing from the fuel passageways 22. Thelair streams passing through the various milled slots 23, are equalized upon entering the small annular space formed between the tube 13 and the collar 14, and issue in the form of a circular jet as shown by the arrow at 19. In the form of jet shown in Figf 7 theL action is identical but the construction is slightly 4different. Air pressure enters the annular space l26 through milled slots indicated by the dotted lines, the sleeve 14 forming closed yair passages of these milled slots, and they perform the same function as the drilled holes 15 shown in Figs. 1 and 2f Fuel oil ,under pressure from a suitable source enters the oil pipe 10 and fills the oi]y space 24 and yin Fig. 8 the preheating reservoir 30 .in the burner housing. The oil entering this reservoir is brought in contact with a considerable surface of the burner casing. This not only acts as a preheater for the incoming fuel oil but acts-as acooling agent for the burner housing. The viscosity of the fuel is thus reduced which promotes finer atomization. At the same time the burner housing and nozzle jets are cooled to a point where they are unaffected by the heat from the-oil flame in the furnace. The oil issues under pressure in the form of small jets through the small passageways 22. Owing to the restricted size of the passageways the fuel issues with equal force from each jet. As the oil issues in jets from the holes 22, it isconfined in a narrow annular space and is there immediately act-V ed upon by individual air jets issuing'from the milledslots 23. In this way the oil is partially atomized Within the burner nozkof a thin evenly spaced film.

zle itself before being projected into the furnace. This feature of the construction has an important bearing upon the low air pressure required for complete atomization of fuel in` this nozzle. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the annular passage 26 `are coated however withr a film of oil due to the force of surface adhesion. The oil which has been atomized is carried forward by the vair stream and issues from the circular slot in the direction of the arrow -a-. The two oil films clinging to the inner and outer surfaces ofthe annular space 26 are driven forward alone these surfaces until the reach the extreme forward edge of each respective surface. The oil film clinging to the innerysurface of the tube 13. when it reaches the pointed tip of that tube, is there placed at the intersection of two air streams,

oil film passing along the surface of the core '14, spreads itself over that surface in a thin uniform film due to the intersections of the oil ets issuing` from the various passageways 22, and is driven forward by the air stream and held against the surface of the coreby the force of adhesion. This thin film'of oil spreads itself uniformly over the inner surface of the disk 16, and reaches the extreme forward tip of that disk in the form It is there placed at the intersection of two air jets indicated by arrows el); and rf- It will thus be noted that by the use of three annular air streams each film of oil, which is held in -contact with a nozzle surface,'is placed at the intersection of two airstreams. The intersection of these air streams acting upon athin film of oilat the points mentionedresults in tearing away the oil from these surfaces in the form of extremely small particles,y the air acting against the force of adhesionin such manner as to prevent the oil film from being rolled Yover the projecting corner which results where a single air stream is used under a comparatively low pressure. The air stream indicated by arrow .-c-f, being somewhat larger than the others, causes the resultant flow of air and atomized oil to be concentrated in a forward direction without undue spread, thus causing a blaze of maximum intensity and high temperature which is necessary for the com pletey vaporization of the atomized fuel. In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the atomized fuel and air actually converge at a focusata slight distancein front of the nozzle. The auxiliary air entering the ring 37 as shown by the arrows 38 in Fig. 3 assists ,this converging action.

Another important action which results from thev construction shown is the partial vacuumwhich is causedin the oil passage- Aways 22\,by xthe airjets blowing across the oil openings at right angles thereto. The partial vacuum caused by this action makes it possible to use a lower oil pressure than would otherwise be necessary.

The amount of opening at the point 19 may be adjusted by forcing the tube 13 forward or backward with relation to the core 14, thus varying the amount of air issuing from this port. The air spaces and oil passages are rendered accessible for cleaning purposes by removing the screw 18 and the discs 1G, 17 and in Fig. 7 the disc 44.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, in the event of any oil entering the air space 27, due to shutting off the air pressure without simultaneously closing off the oil supply the oil entering the air space 27 is automatically drained oil through thel drilled port 39. Any oil overflowing the outer surface of the nozzle housing is also carried by gravity to the lowest point of the housing and in both cases this oil drips into the space formed by the ring 37 and is drained olf by the oil drain pipe 4() which can, if required, be connected to an automatic oil shut 0H mechanism (not shown) which may be attached to the oil supply pipe 10.

Referring to igs. 5, 6 and 8, the action of the three jet nozzle is as follows. The proportion of oil entering each nozzle 28 is independently adjusted `to suit` the air supply by means of the three thumb screws 41. The fuel entering each jet 28 is adjusted by means of its corresponding thumb screw until a clear blaze of maximum intensity is obtained. The oil cont-rol valve shownin Figs. 8 and 9 makes it possible to operate either one, two or three jets by means of a slight motion of the lever 42. The oil valve 45 operates in the following manner. In the position shown all three jets are in operation as the holes inthe valve 45 register with the corresponding holes in the casing shown at 46, 47 and 48. lVhen the lever 42 is moved slightly to the leftthe valve 45 is moved also, until the hole 48 in the valve no longer registers with the corresponding hole in the casing thus closing otl' jet Number 3. The slot 52, however, still registers with the hole 47 thus leaving jets Numbers 1 and 2 in operation. ,When the lever 42 is moved to the extreme left so that the set screw 49 registers with the opposite end of slot 50, the slot 52 no longer registers with the hole 47, thus closing the action of jet No. 2, but as the slot 51 still registers with the hole 46 jet No. 1 remains in operation. It is thus impossible to shut olf the burner entirely by means of the lever 42. This lever, however, controls the capacity of the burner, increasing that capacity three times the minimum. The lever 42 can thus be connected by Suitable means to a control mechanism in lanother part of the building, and the capacity of the burner regulated 'by hand through a large. range without danger of extinguishing the blaze. The lever 42 may also be connected to a suitable thermostatic control mechanism which will vary the size of the flame in the burner without danger of extinguishing it, thus eliminating the necessity of a pilot light.

It will thus be seen that by the use of the oil burner here disclosed, it is possible to operate one or more burner jets in a single burner housing by means of a low air pressure and a low oil pressure, which insures the minimum power requirements.

lVliile I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction, Iand arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a liquid fuel nozzle to which air and a liquid fuel way be delivered under pressure, means therein for dividing the air passing therethroughl into substantially three concentric columns, to the intermediate one of which said liquid fuel is delivered, and means for thereafter co-mingling the air streams in said columns to create atomization of the liquid fuel.

2. A liquid fuel burner to which air and liquid fuel may be deliveredunder low pressure, a plurality of parallel passage ways in the burner, an annular passageway circumscribing said parallel passageways, said passageways being so formed that air delivered thereto will be discharged from the burner in columns intersectingthe mouth of the burner, a fuel chamber in the burner, a plurality of intermediate air passageways formed through the burner and in communication with the oil chamber whereby air discharging through said intermediate passageways will draw oil from the chamber, atomize it and deliver it to the vortex of the air columns intersecting the mouth yof the burner.

3. A low pressure liquid fuel nozzle having means for forming a plurality of relatively small parallel air columns, a circumscribing annular air column flowing parallel thereto, means for causing the small columns to intersect the annular column at the mouth of the nozzle, a plurality of intermediate air columns, oil supply means, and means whereby the intermediate air columns will atomize the oil and deliver it in an annular jet to the vortex of the intersecting air columns. j

4. A low pressure liquid fuel burner comprising a tubularcasing, avnozzle mounted therein in a manner forming an annular air passageway therebetween, a plurality of relatively small air lhlssageways formed longitudinally throng the nozzle, a plurality of intermediate air passageways formed through the nozzle, an oil chamber formed in the nozzle and in communication with said intermediate passaveways, and deflecting means at the end o? the nozzle causing columns of air discharging through the annular passageway and the small passageways to intersect at the end of the burner and to cause columns of air passing through the intermediate passageways and drawing` oil from the oil chamber to atomize the oil and deliver' it to the vortex of said intersecting air columns. l

5. A low pressure liquid fuel burner comprising a tubular casing to which air may be delivered, an oil delivery pipe disposed in the casing, a burner nozzle disposed concentrically in the end of the casing and connected to said pipe, an oil chamber in said nozzle in communication with said oil pipe, the nozzle being smaller in diameter' than the interior of the casing whereby to form an annular air passageway therebetween, a plurality of relatively small parallel air passageways formed through the nozzle, a plurality of intermediate passageways formed through the nozzle, radial oil passageways connecting the intermediate air passageways with the oil chamber, and stationary deflecting means at the end of the nozzle adapted to cause columns of air discharging through the annular passageway and the small passagcways to intersect at the mouth of the burner, and to cause columns of air passing through the intermediate passageways and drawing oil from the oil chamber to atomize the oil and deliver it to the vortex of the intersecting air columns.

6. In a liquid fuel nozzle to which air and oil are delivered under pressure, means for dividing the air passing through the nozzle into three substantially parallel streams, means for delivering oil to the intermediate stream whereby partial atomization of the oil will be brought about by the action of said intermediate stream within the nozzle, and means for subjecting the intermediate stream and the atomized oil carried thereby to the further atomization action of the two other air streams by their intersection with the intermediate stream.

7. In a liquid fuel nozzle to which air and oil are delivered under pressure, means for dividing the air passing through the nozzle into three substantially parallel streams, means for delivering oil to the intermediate stream whereby partial atomization of the oil will be brought` about by the action of said intermediate stream within the nozzle, and means' for subjecting the intermediate stream and the atomized oil carried thereby to the further atomization action of the two other air streams by their intersection with the intermediate stream and with each other.

8. In a liquid fuel nozzle to which air and oil are ldelivered under pressure, means for dividing the air into three concentric columns, means for delivering oil to the intermediate column whereby its partial atomization will take place within the nozzle, and means for projectingk said intermediate oilladen column of air in the vortex created by the intersection of the outer and inner air columns whereby further atomization will be effected.

9. In a liquid fuel nozzle to which air and oil are delivered under pressure, means within the nozzle for creating a pair of concentric air columns adapted to intersect each other when said columns are projected from the nozzle tip, and a plurality of separate intermediate columns adapted to be projected into the vortex of intersection of said iirst named air column, and means for projecting the oil into said nozzle across said separate intermediate columns whereby partial atomization of the oil and the air in said intermediate column will be brought about within the nozzle, after which further atomization will be effected when said intermediate columns of air are projected into the vortex of intersect-ion of the concentric air columns.

l0. A liquid fuel burner comprising a plate upon which a plurality of fuel nozzles are mounted and through which plate ports are formed to deliver oil to the individual nozzles, an oil chamber on the back of said plate for delivering oil to all of said ports, and a rotary disk disposed within the chamber and on the back of the plate, said disk being formed of ports adapted to be moved to register with the. ports in the plate and to thus simultaneously regulate the supply of oil to the nozzles. l

1l. A liquid fuel burner comprising a plate upon which a plurality of fuel nozzles are mounted and through which plate ports are formed to deliver oil to the individual nozzles, an oil chamber on the back of said plate for delivering oil to all of said ports, a rotary disk` disposed within the chamber and on the back of the plate, said disk being formed of ports adapted to be moved to register with the ports in the plate and to thus simultaneously regulate the suppl of oil to the nozzles, said ports in the gisks varying in arcuate length, wherebv oil may be admitted to one or more of tlie nozzles and may be simultaneously regulated to permit equal quantities.

LAURENCE E. FRENCH. 

